I Have Never Been This Sick In My Life, Says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the country yesterday after a 49-day medical vacation in the United Kingdom, saying he went through severe health challenge the way he had never experience before all through his life.

In his characteristic manner of being too honest, the president told top government functionaries, including service chiefs and ministers that he had blood transfusion while in London.

“I couldn’t recall being so sick since I was a young man, including the military with its ups and downs. I couldn’t recall when last I had blood transfusion, I couldn’t recall honestly. I can say in my seventy years, I couldn’t remember this drug that Nigerians take so much, very common”, he stated.

Buhari, however, declared that there was significant improvement in his health and that he was feeling much better and stronger to continue with the task of governance.

The president who did not rule out the possibility of follow up checks on his health status in the weeks ahead thanked Nigerians for their show of support, goodwill and prayers for his recovery.

He said, “I am deeply grateful to all Nigerians, Muslims and Christians alike who have prayed and have continued to pray for my good health. This is a testimony that in spite of the hardship being experienced, Nigerians support the government in its effort to tackle our country’s challenges”.

Buhari added that the only way he could pay Nigerians back for their goodwill towards him was to rededicate himself to serving and protecting the rights of every citizen.

“The best way for me to repay you is to rededicate myself to serving you, protecting your interest and keeping your trust. I thank you very much”, he stated, just as he commended his deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, for holding forth firmly in his absence.

The president described Osinbajo as youthful and intellectually sound, the qualities, which according to him, compliment his (Buhari’s) age, military background and experience.

Urging the vice president to continue in his acting capacity, the president who said he was very conscious of the economy. “I deliberately came back towards the weekend, so that the vice president will continue and I will continue to rest. Continue to do the work; Nigeria will continue whether we are here or not”, he observed.

The president also shed light on the advanced technology used in developed countries, stressing on the need for government to do more on education.

He said, “I found out that technology is growing so fast that if you have a lot of confidence you better keep it because you need it. Blood transfusions, going to the laboratories and so on and so forth, but I am very pleased that we- when I say we I mean the government and the people all over- are trying to keep with technology”.
On his part, Vice President Osinbajo said it was satisfying for Nigerians and the Federal Executive Council to receive the president back in the country hale and hearty.

“It is a day of joy not only for us but for the whole country, Africa and the world. Your arrival has vindicated our position that you will return safely”, he added.
He thanked the president for respecting the constitution and transmitting power to him before travelling out, noting that it was a tough job “going around in borrowed robes”.

Also, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, described yesterday as a day of joy, saying the president’s return has vindicated government’s position. “We thank all Nigerians for the prayers that kept them going. Thanks to the vice president who gave them a sense of belonging”, he said while praying that God should continue to heal the president.

On behalf of the service chiefs and the armed forces, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin thanked God for bringing the president back safely, even as he pledged support and commitment to the realization of the president’s security agenda for the country.

Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and governor of Zamfara State, Abdullaziz Yari, who was also present at the occasion welcomed the president back to the country on behalf of governors of the 36 states of the federation.

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, also disclosed that President Buhari will on Monday transmit a letter to the National Assembly, informing them of his return to the country to mark his formal resumption of official duties in line with the nation’s constitution.